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Sometimes they do community work, but most of the time they are in school. The child in the middle of this photo studies to hopefully become a chef one day. The others dream of becoming architects and teachers!

 

All of these students have an entreAmigos scholarship; and if they weren't given this opportunity they would be playing on the streets or possibly working instead of attending school.

 

For more information about the scholarship program contact Paulina or click HERE.

 

Click HERE to view a video created by the scholarship students at entreAmigos.

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Póngase en contacto con Paulina or click AQUI.
 
Spanish translation done by Julie Ferrara. You can contact her for translation details.

 

The San Pancho church is looking for donations to build a multi-purpose room and sala to the side of the main sanctuary. Dona Luisa, wife of Don Pancho, is in charge of collecting donations. She will give everyone a receipt for their donation and when the rooms are finished all of those that donated will be invited to the opening and given a signed, stamped letter acknowledging their participation. The intention of the room is for use by many groups as a worship and/or meeting place.

 

Semarnat has brought 26 temporary workers to clean our pueblo. The local government offices along with EntreAmigos are helping to support this effort. The 26 workers are distributed throughout San Pancho, focusing on the dirtiest places first. They have been cleaning the estuary and river and the next projects will be the park on Main street, especially around the Tercer Edad building and then the road behind the hospital. Today they are cleaning Calle Cuba of all of the trash and things left by beach visitors. The road to the beach and the malecon will be cleaned as well. Maria Garcia has formed a local committee, Committe de Apoyo para empleyados temporal, to provide food and services to the temporary workers.

 

Speaking of the estuary, everyone needs to be aware that there are now crocodiles in the estuary. We need to leave these crocodiles alone as they are in their natural habitat. There is a mother with a young baby. She will be very protective if approached. The best is to leave them alone and warn guests and visitors to leave them alone too. And we need to keep the estuary clean for them.

 

Two more weeks and the Main Street construction will be finished to the bridge. There will be no more construction during the rainy season. But in the autumn Bahia may replace the bridge.

 

There are two women that have moved here after leaving abusive situations. They both have very small children and no means of support. Both are looking for day work. Neither wants a hand out. If you have day work of any kind for them, please contact Ramon. The families are in crisis.

 

There is a new program in the pueblo: Help to the Families with extreme poverty. This is a project headed by Maria Garcia to help the neediest of the families here. The family's only need to show their credentials to get help and it is not necessary for the families to be local.

 

 

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In every little girl's upbringing, there is a special moment that she looks forward to with excitement and pride. In the Mexican tradition this is the 15th birthday of a young woman called the Quinceanera. This tradition celebrates the young girl (la Quinceanera), and recognizes her journey from childhood to maturity.

Here is what I discovered of this Mexican tradition. The beginning of the Quinceañera begins not with the festivities, but in the preparation of the upcoming event. In some families, the planning begins up to two years in advance of the actual day. There is much work to be done and many details to be worked on to make this day perfect.

Today's celebrations embrace religious customs, and the virtues of family and social responsibility. The customs highlight God, family, friends, music, food, and dance. And the celebration traditionally begins with a religious ceremony followed by a reception. The festivities include food and music, and in most, a choreographed waltz or dance performed by the Quinceanera and her Court.

It is traditional for the Quinceanera to choose special friends to participate in what is called the Court of Honor. Usually, these young people are her closest friends, brothers, sisters, cousins, or other special people in her life. The Quinceanera's Court of Honor is comprised of young girls (called a Dama) and young men (called Chambelán or Escorte or Galán) or a combination of both.

To most young girls the evening is really about the dress! She traditionally wears a ball gown; with her Court dressed in gowns and tuxedos. The dress of the Quinceañera is one of the most stunning details and traditionally is white signifying her purity. It is much like a ball gown and covered in fine lace and satiny material, the dress of the Quinceañera makes her appear as a princess at a ball.

 

It is customary for the Quinceanera to receive some or all of the following items for her ceremony:
-- Tiara: this denotes a "princess" before God and the world; a triumph over childhood and ability to face the challenges ahead. 
-- Cross or Medal: signifies faith - in God, in herself, and in her world.
-- Bible or Prayer Book and Rosary: important resources to keep the word of God in her life.
-- Scepter: symbolizes authority, and more importantly, responsibility for her life, that is now being given to the young woman.

 

In some Hispanic cultures, the gifts are given to the Quinceanera by "padrinos" (also called godparents or sponsors) specially chosen by the family. The padrinos who give the Traditional Ceremony Gifts are formally recognized, and often are part of the procession for either the church or reception ceremony, or do the presentation of the gifts to the priest for the blessing.

There are other traditions throughout the Quinceanera celebration. One of the most popular is the Changing of the Shoes. This is where the father or favored male relative ceremoniously changes the young girl's flat shoes to high heels. This is a beautiful symbol of the Quinceañera's transformation from a little girl to a young lady.

Another popular tradition is the Last Doll. The last doll is used as part of the ceremony or as decoration and keepsake. In some customs, the Quinceanera doll represents the last things of a child and how she will now focus on things of a young lady.

 

One thing I know for sure, the Quince años is a glorious celebration that remains a cherished and honored tradition in the Hispanic culture. I hope one day I'll get to share in this experience with one young Quinceanera and her family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cilantro leaves (or fresh coriander) are healthy and convenient additions to your diet. This freshly flavorsome herb belongs to the same family as parsley and is commonly used for garnishing and to add flavor to dips and curries. The fact that it is easy to grow at home only adds to its health and nutritional quotient.

 

Here are 13 Health Benefits of Cilantro:
1. Protects against the Salmonella bacteria
2. Reportedly works as a natural chelation treatment (removes heavy metals like mercury from amalgam dental fillings)
3. Aids in digestion and helps settle the stomach
4. Is an anti-inflammatory that may alleviate symptoms of arthritis
5. Prevents nausea
6. Protects against urinary tract infections
7. Relieves intestinal gas
8. Lowers blood sugar
9. A good source of dietary fiber
10. Lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and raises good cholesterol (HDL)
11. A good source of iron
12. A good source of magnesium
13. Rich in phytonutrients and flavonoids ( help prevent cancer and other diseases)

 

Cilantro is easy to grow in your kitchen window. Soak a handful of coriander seeds overnight in water, sprinkle them into a small pot and place it on a sunny spot on your window sill. You'll have sprigs of fresh cilantro before you know it!

 

When you buy a bunch of cilantro, make sure the leaves are rigid, fresh smelling and free from any spots or discoloration. To wash cilantro, hold the bunch by the stems and agitate the leaves in a large bowl of cold water until clean.

 

On your next shopping trip to the fruteria, don't forget to bag a bunch of these fragrant herbs and use them regularly for garnishing your meals or in sauces, salsas, soups and chutneys for added flavor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

How can I learn more about birds?

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Luis Morales is a Marine Biologist, Director and Founder of the San Pancho Birding Club, and Owner of Birding San Pancho. Luis has vast experience on leading nature tours both in land and aquatic habitats. He has lived in San Pancho for 3 years and has become not only a frequent and avid observer of the local birds and nature but also an educational resource for our community and an environmental activist to help in preserving and restoring natural habitats.

Contact Tamara with comments or suggestions.

 

¿Cómo pasar por las dificultades económicas de la temporada baja? Honestamente, vivimos en un pueblo muy rico. Todo el mundo tiene trabajo si así lo desean, las casas están en buena forma, la mayoría tiene televisores y computadoras. He oído un montón de aires acondicionados funcionando, también. Los coches son bastante nuevos y casi todos tienen un teléfono celular e internet en la casa. Los niños aún ríen y juegan. Tengo la mayor parte de los extras antes mencionados. Entonces, ¿cómo hago para reducir mis gastos mensuales? Bueno, caminar más, comer en casa, hacer ejercicio para mantener mi mente clara y feliz. Limpiar mi casa, cocinar mi propia comida, regar y cuidar mi propio jardín. Arreglármelas con la ropa y los zapatos que tengo.

 

Las comidas en los restaurantes son un lujo ahora. No me muestro insensata comprando bocadillos para el almuerzo o una bebida y papas fritas. Estoy cosechando fruta en el pueblo de los árboles que están dando  a diestra y siniestra. Es mi origen agrícola que se molesta cuando veo la fruta cayendo de los árboles que nadie se molesta en levantar. Así que si usted me ve merodeando por los jardines, estoy cosechando!

 

Cuelgo mi ropa a secar al sol. No me ducho con agua caliente. Apago las luces y los ventiladores cuando dejo la habitación. ¿Qué más puedo hacer? Tomé el autobús a Vallarta, cancelé mi internet y la televisión. Vendí algunos de mis artículos de lujo.

 

Las cosas por las que estoy agradecida en realidad no son cosas. Tengo salud, mi práctica de fe. Estoy rodeada de amor. Tengo un hombre maravilloso en mi vida, uno que me trae tanta alegría a diario. Mi hijo es fuerte y encuentra nuevas aventuras en su camino. Vivo en el borde de un océano lleno de increíbles peces, árboles que dejan caer sus frutas en mis manos, puedo cosechar lo suficiente para una comida de mi jardín todos los días. Mis manos trabajan para hacer cosas para vender en el Mercado de Agricultores, mi mente trabaja imaginando lo que viene. Mi corazón está lleno.

 

¡Me voy a centrar en la abundancia que me rodea! 

convidar

 

English Translation: to invite; to offer